The Weekender: Germans, Horses, and One Real Maverick

Ten ideas for this first full weekend of autumn...

• You probably already know that the debate is on. I'm watching it from my couch, but you can watch it at a debate-watching party. Sarah Palin will watch from one of the city's worst bars, the Irish Pub (the one at 20th ... the other one in town is not all that bad).

• Whether or not John McCain is a maverick (and I think you know where I stand on that), let there be no argument that tax-evading, pot-smoking country music renegade Willie Nelson is. Tickets for Friday's show at the Tower and Saturday's at HOB are still available.

• If something called the Carnivale of Dogs doesn't sound repulsive to you, bring your blinged-out bitch to Rittenhouse Square on Saturday.

• Our theater critic likes Candide at the Arden.

• If you're German or like German food or like to drink German beer or you're looking for a big-boned Helga to call your own, there are lots of Oktoberfest and German pride things going on.

• For the moneyed, the Orchestra plays with the Wanamaker Organ at Macy's on Saturday. And by moneyed, I mean capable of spending up to $5,000 for tickets.

• The Phils are in it to win it at Citizens Bank Park all weekend vs. the Nationals.

• They're pouring wine at Penn's Landing on Sunday.

• They're riding horses in Devon.

• And for the tots: long-time favorite Peanut Butter & Jams at World Cafe Live.